PHILADELPHIA — By halftime, the Linc was buzzing: Michael Vick was a member of the Eagles.

Suddenly, no one seemed to care much about the preseason game against the New England Patriots on Thursday night. All that mattered to most fans was that the disgraced quarterback had joined their team.

According to Fox Sports, Vick will be paid $1.6 million this year, with a chance for the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback to make $5.6 million as part of a 2010 option. None of the money is guaranteed.

The 29-year-old Vick, once the NFL’s highest-paid player, has been out of action since 2006. The former Atlanta Falcons star was convicted in August 2007 of conspiracy and running a dogfighting ring, and served 18 months of a 23-month sentence in federal prison. He also was suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

Commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally lifted Vick’s suspension July 27, allowing him to sign with a team, practice and play in the last two preseason games. Once the season begins, Vick can participate in all team activities except games, and Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19) at the latest. The Broncos visit the Eagles on Dec. 27.

The Eagles reached the NFC championship game last season under quarterback Donovan McNabb.

The team is a surprise landing point for Vick. It was among 26 clubs that said there was no interest in him, but that might have changed when backup Kevin Kolb strained a knee ligament this week. Kolb’s injury isn’t serious, and he’s expected to return next week. The Eagles also have veteran A.J. Feeley.

“There won’t be a quarterback controversy,” coach Andy Reid said. “We have to make sure he gets back in football shape. He comes into a good, stable unit here. Donovan and Michael are very close.”

Reid made sure he spoke with McNabb before signing Vick.

“I pretty much lobbied to get him here,” McNabb said. “I believe in second chances, and what better place to get a second chance than here with this group of guys? . . . He’s no threat to me, not for Kolb. We had the opportunity to add another weapon to our offense.”

Vick could be used in a variation of the Wildcat offense the Miami Dolphins made popular last season. He’s also familiar with the West Coast offense, though Atlanta ran a different version than the one Philadelphia uses.

“He’s an unbelievable athlete, both running the ball and throwing it,” Reid said. “I’ll think of something for him.”

In a “60 Minutes” interview set to air Sunday, Vick accepted blame for not stopping the illegal dogfighting operation he bankrolled. Vick said he feels “some tremendous hurt behind what happened.” He said he should have taken “the initiative to stop it all . . . I didn’t.”

Asked if he was more concerned about his NFL career or the dogs he hurt, Vick replied, “Football don’t even matter.”

The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, wasted no time reminding people exactly what Vick had done.

“PETA and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Eagles decided to sign a guy who hung dogs from trees. He electrocuted them with jumper cables and held them under water,” PETA spokesman Dan Shannon said. “You have to wonder what sort of message this sends to young fans who care about animals.”

CenturyLink, the telecommunications company that ended its sponsorship agreement with Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall because of his protests during the national anthem last year, said it will not terminate its agreement with current client Emmanuel Sanders.